Mark your calendars now… the dates for the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest winter party are officially locked and loaded for next year!

The multi award-winning American Express Queenstown Winter Festival will take centre stage in Queenstown, New Zealand, from 22 June to 1 July 2012.

The iconic Queenstown event, now into its 38th year, officially kicks off winter in the stunning four-season resort with a 10-day action-packed programme of new events, established favourites and plenty of entertainment and celebration.

Festival Director Simon Green returns to the helm for his seventh festival while key naming sponsor American Express is back on board for a milestone 21st year.

Mr Green said he was “already well underway” with plans for some exciting new events and could also confirm that the downtown ice rink, a popular new feature at the 2011 festival, would return for 2012.

“It gave Queenstown that magical winter wonderland and proved to be a huge hit with visitors and locals so we’re thrilled to have it back.”

Surrounded by stunning snow-capped mountains, Queenstown transforms into a winter paradise each year attracting snow sports enthusiasts from around the world with its incredible scenery, crisp blue-sky days and easy access to some of New Zealand's finest skiing.

Whether visitors have an appetite for fresh air, adventure and mountains or are more at home tracking down a delicious meal and fine wine, this cosmopolitan lake and alpine resort town provides the perfect mix of on and off snow action.